Expert

What the Expert Says:

My recommendations would be as follows.
First, go see the head business manager, pay for the merchandize, apologize AND ask how you can make it up. Or you and your daughter can suggest that you would be willing to donate time or money to the charity of choice of the company. This could be equal or double the value of what was stolen. You can also suggest that your daughter is willing to write a "research paper on the causes, problems, and consequences of teenage shoplifting". The paper can be published in the store's newsletter, ads, or in the school's newsletters.
If any of these ideas work, then take them to the high school counselor and security officers, if your school has one. See if they would help recommend that the charges be dropped either by the store or by the court, if it is gone that far.
Please keep in mind that whatever you decide to do, it better be sincere. It is important that the store keeper and the school staff know that this is the first incident, that it will not happen again, and that it comes from your daughter and not just you.